Stockport deputy nursery manager jailed over death of nine-month-old
Fiona Simpson
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
The deputy manager of a Stockport nursery, found guilty of the manslaughter of a nine-month-old baby, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison.
Kate Roughley, 37, was today (22 May) jailed over the death of Geneveive Meehan who died after being left face down, tightly swaddled and strapped to a bean bag for more than 90 minutes at Tiny Toes nursery in Cheadle Hume in May last year.
Roughley was found guilty of manslaughter following a trial at Manchester Crown Court earlier this week.
Sentencing Roughley, Mrs Justice Ellenbogen, told the defendant Genevieve's death was "absolutely avoidable".
Referring to CCTV footage, shown during the trial, in which Roughley could be heard singing “Genevieve go home” and referred to her as “vile”, Ellenbogen said: "It was apparent that at best you considered Genevieve to be a nuisance and at times displayed antipathy and frustration with her.”
Experts who gave evidence at the trial described the bean bag as being wholly unsuitable for sleep.
They told the court the circumstances of Genevieve being placed on the bean bag were highly dangerous with a high risk of death and had she been placed on her back in a cot she would not have died.
The prosecution argued it would have been obvious Genevieve was in distress when “cursory checks” were made by Roughley before her death.
Specialist prosecutor Tonge added: “Roughley, a trained and experienced nursery worker, must have known the dangers of placing Genevieve face down on a bean bag. She was tightly swaddled, buckled in and had a blanket placed over her. She was left unattended, and her cries and obvious signs of distress were repeatedly ignored.
“[She] was entrusted to take care of Genevieve. It is difficult to comprehend how someone in such a position of trust could have such a complete disregard for a child’s wellbeing and life. Her actions and inactions have had devastating consequences.”
Roughley pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and child cruelty, claiming she had placed Genevieve to sleep on her side and in a safe position.
Meanwhile, Stockport Council has said it will resume an investigation into Genevieve’s death which was launched in 2022.
